The elite downhill riders of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup hit the course for the first time in an untimed training session. Photo of Peter Knott.Source: News Corp Australia

TOWNSVILLE’s Peter Knott might not have crossed first at the UCI World Mountain Bike Championships, but at least he went out in style.

The 19-year-old gained a wildcard at the Cairns-hosted championships and pushed his peddle to the mettle against the world’s best off-road riders, but could not conquer the difficult Smithfield Rainforest trail.

Speeding down into a section of the track named the “rock garden”, Knott crashed in front of hundreds of vocal fans and subsequently lost any hope of getting a place.

But instead of cursing at himself or rushing off in embarrassment, Knott stood up and saluted the crowd despite being covered head to toe in mud.

“I ended having a good crash, but that was a spot where a lot of other people had a spill as well,’ Knott said.

JOHNATHAN Thurston has provided the heart-starter the North Queensland needed, breathing life back into the Cowboys’ season with two late field goals to down the Melbourne Storm by one point in a thriller.

JOHNATHAN Thurston has provided the heart-starter the North Queensland needed, breathing life back into the Cowboys’ season with two late field goals to down the Melbourne Storm by one point in a thriller.

Leonie Norris isn’t quite sure how or why she stopped being active but after having four children, the 41-year-old mum realised she had let it all go. A desire to be able to run again has transformed her life.